The recovery of the Peregrine Falcon is not the work of any single organization — it is the result of decades of collaboration between researchers, falconers, wildlife agencies, and passionate volunteers. The following organizations have played an important role in that effort, and continue to support raptor conservation today.
The Midwest Peregrine Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to monitoring and documenting Peregrine Falcon populations across the Midwest. They serve as a central repository for field data collected by coordinators, volunteers, and wildlife agencies, publishing annual reports that track population trends and nesting success across the region. The Michigan Falcon Project contributes data to the Midwest Peregrine Society each season as part of our commitment to the long-term recovery and documentation of the Peregrine Falcon in Michigan.
The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota is one of the leading raptor medicine, research, and rehabilitation facilities in the world. Founded in 1974, it has treated more than 90,000 birds of prey from across North America and serves as a global leader in raptor health and conservation science. Beyond rehabilitation, The Raptor Center trains wildlife veterinarians, conducts cutting-edge research, and develops best practices that benefit raptor care and conservation worldwide. Their work has directly contributed to the understanding and recovery of Peregrine Falcons and other birds of prey across the region.
The Peregrine Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 1970 at Cornell University with a singular mission — save the Peregrine Falcon from extinction. Through groundbreaking captive breeding programs, they produced thousands of young falcons that were released across North America throughout the 1970s and 1980s, playing a pivotal role in bringing the species back from the brink. The Peregrine's recovery is widely considered one of the greatest success stories in the history of endangered species management, and The Peregrine Fund's work made it possible.
The Michigan Hawking Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of falconry and the conservation of birds of prey in Michigan. Falconers have played a critical and often overlooked role in the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon — it was the falconry community that sounded the alarm when populations began collapsing in the 1950s, and falconers who contributed expertise and resources to captive breeding and reintroduction efforts that followed. The Michigan Hawking Club continues to support raptor conservation across the state and has been a valued partner in Michigan's Peregrine monitoring efforts.
The Archives of Falconry, located at The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, is the world's largest repository dedicated to the history and culture of falconry. Housing thousands of artifacts, photographs, manuscripts, and documents spanning centuries, the Archives preserve the deep connection between falconers and birds of prey that dates back thousands of years. That relationship between humans and raptors is inseparable from the story of the Peregrine Falcon's recovery — and the Archives stand as a testament to the passion and dedication of the falconry community worldwide.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology is one of the world's leading institutions for the study and conservation of birds. Their AllAboutBirds.org website offers detailed species guides, range maps, and identification tools used by researchers and casual birdwatchers alike. Cornell Lab also developed the popular Merlin Bird ID app, which makes identifying birds in the field easier than ever. For anyone wanting to learn more about the Peregrine Falcon or get started in citizen science, Cornell Lab is an excellent place to start.
Raptors are highly specialized animals that require equally specialized care. A Peregrine Falcon brought to a general wildlife rehabilitator may not receive the specific nutrition, handling techniques, and flight conditioning needed for a successful release back to the wild. Raptor rehabilitators have dedicated training and experience working specifically with birds of prey, understanding their unique physical and behavioral needs. If you find an injured or grounded falcon, who you call matters — the following rehabilitators are experienced with raptors and trusted by the Michigan Falcon Project.
The Michigan DNR maintains an official list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators across the state, which can be found on their website: Michigan DNR List
Dave Hogan has been the primary raptor rehabilitator for Peregrine Falcons in Southeast Michigan for decades, and is the first call when a brancher or injured falcon needs care. With years of hands-on experience working specifically with Peregrines, Dave has the expertise and dedication that this specialized species demands. He can be reached at: 734-755-3952
734-748-4577 | Raptor Rescue of Michigan
517-663-6153 | Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center
616-443-0120 | Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan
231-994-3908 | North Sky Raptor Sanctuary
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